The arrival of United States military personnel to Northern Ireland brought some changes to the country. One such change was the repurposing of the Hotel Pickie, Bangor, Co. Down.
An American Red Cross Club sprang up at the hotel. There, US servicemen and women could socialise and relax, as well as send money and telegrams home. The owners put the hotel’s furniture in storage and US Army bunk beds filled the rooms.
Between 1942 and 1944, many American troops danced, drank, played snooker, and enjoyed their leave in the hotel in Bangor, Co. Down. For the peckish among them, a canteen opened between 0800hrs and 0200hrs.